Other interest: native to eastern Asia; name from the Greek mischos
meaning stalk and anthos meaning flowers, refering to the stalked
spikelets

Other culture: some species in warm climates may be invasive
from seeds, but are not usually in the north as seeds don't mature; a few
species may be very invasive by roots so proper placement is crucial

Propagation: spring division

Species:

Species

height

zones

characteristics

floridulus

8-10'

5-9

Giant Chinese Silver Grass, blooms late, good
screen

oligostachys

3-4'

5-9

Small Japanese Silver Grass, silver panicles

*purpurascens

4-5'

3-9

Flame Grass, reddish foliage, early bloom, large
clumps

sacchariflorus

4-6'

4-8

Silver Banner Grass, very invasive by roots

sinensis

4-7'

5-9

Chinese Silver Grass, some cv's less hardy

transmorrisonensis

3-4'

6-9

golden blooms early to late, evergreen

Cultivars:

All are cultivars of sinensis except for 'Herkules' (purpurascens),
'Interstate 95' and 'Robustus' (sacchariflorus). Those marked *
are most common in U.S. commerce of the over 100 available..